<p>Hi, i recently have had thoughts about purchasing a IBM Thinkpad T43 notebook, but it seems that my parents are extremely paranoid about it being stolen. Although they prefer purchasing desktop because its harder to steal, i have decided that laptop is what I want. </p>
<p>I have tried to allay their fears of my potential laptop being stolen by trying to explain that i will be very cautious and purchase a laptop lock. I really don't know about the circumstances of laptop theft, but i know it is quite prevalent at my uni (berkeley). They think that after some 6 months of relative calm, i will one day frivolously leave my laptop somewhere, turn by back, and poof it will be gone without a trace. Does it happen that way?</p>
<p>I need advice regarding of what kind of security devices or measures that i can do to address theft. I've seen those thin locks that you can attach laptops back to your desk but they seem like a fat bolt cutter could just snap it off. </p>
<p>Also does anyone knows where i can get a Thinkpad T43 for a good price?, because i don't know if any of the stores around my area have it. Is it only through a website that i can order one, and if so, whats a good and responsible one? (newegg? lenovo website?)</p>
<p>laptops don't get stolen unless you don't take care of them.</p>
<p>People leave their computers all over the place at my school, and I don't think I've seen a laptop reported stolen in the school paper (they report everything crime related) in my almost 3 semesters.</p>
<p>However, i'm not an idiot. I keep my dorm room locked when me and my roomie aren't around. In the library, I never leave my laptop on the table if I need to go to the bathroom, I pack all my things up and go.</p>
<p>if you don't leave your laptop alone then it wont get stolen.</p>
<p>Make sure your laptop is insured and get an external hard drive & back up your work every night so if your laptop does get stolen it wont be a disaster.</p>
<p>i lock my laptop to the library desks when i need to go to bathroom, and then i leave it locked till i finish all my work. if someone attempts to steal it, that would be obvious, at least.</p>
<p>My laptop is either on my lap or locked in my apartment room. Never anywhere else at any time. Even if I need to use the bathroom real quick while in the library, I pack it all up and take it with me to the bathroom. People without morals will steal those things as soon as they see it sitting by itself.</p>
<p>I have a laptop and live in the dorms and have not had a problem. I always have mine locked up however... I know that the lock is not going to really stop anybody if they really want it, but it'll slow them down enough that it works as a deterrent. </p>
<p>If I'm in public and need to use the restroom, then I pack everything up.</p>
<p>Obviously don't leave it somewhere by itself...EVER. When you leave the dorm room, make sure to lock the dore. By a laptop lock, and if you're carefull...you shouldn't have a problem. Treat it like you would treat your cellphone.</p>
<p>wow i didnt know that this was such a big problem in dorms... wouldnt you notice if someone else had your laptop on your floor? </p>
<p>either way i wouldnt leave a laptop unattended in public and keep it locked when you're not, it may not stop them from taking it but im sure it makes it much harder then just picking it up off of a desk</p>
<p>there are commercial anti-theft products you might want to consider. They are software programs that are hidden on your laptop in places not easily erased and they contact a center regularly. When you tell them your laptop is stolen they can use the info the computer sends to track it to the place it was sent from.</p>
<p>
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Having a laptop in the dorms is not a question of if it will get stolen, but when. If you live off campus, you will be fine.
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</p>
<p>What an awful, and unhelpful, generalization. I lived two years on campus and never had anything stolen. Just don't be an idiot and leave your laptop outside your door.</p>
<p>madison is a crazy place and the dorms are even worse, but ive had my laptop in the dorm for three months and so have all my friends and its fine. lock your door all the time when u leave, and don't leave it laying out in the library or something, you'll be fine.</p>